Systems and methods for wirelessly controlling medical devices

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for wirelessly controlling medical devices are provided. One system includes a portable user interface having a housing and a communication module within the housing configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one medical device. The portable user interface also includes a display displaying a graphical user interface to control the at least one medical device remotely, wherein the displayed graphical user interface corresponds to a control interface of the at least one medical device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In patient care settings, such as in a hospital, individuals mustphysically observe the patient periodically, which may include adjustingmonitoring or other equipment connected to the patient. For example, anurse may have to periodically enter the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of ahospital to take readings and make device adjustments, which require thenurse to physically touch the device(s) in the ICU.

Hospital borne infections (or pathogens) may be transferred by touch,such as the point of contact with the device(s) in the ICU. The patientsin the ICU are among the most vulnerable patient types due to theserious nature of their condition. Accordingly, these touches can leadto the transfer of infections, which may result in complications for thepatient or even death. In particular, Healthcare-Associated Illnesses(HAIs), namely illnesses picked up while receiving care for some othercondition, result in many deaths each year. This adds significant coststo healthcare.

In order to reduce HAIs, such as in the ICU, systems for cleaning orproviding improved personal hygiene are conventionally used. Forexample, in some ICUs, a decontamination area is used for individualsentering and leaving the ICU. However, these approaches are often noteffective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a portable user interface for controlling medicaldevices is provided. The portable user interface includes a housing anda communication module within the housing configured to wirelesslycommunicate with at least one medical device. The portable userinterface also includes a display displaying a graphical user interfaceto control the at least one medical device remotely, wherein thedisplayed graphical user interface corresponds to a control interface ofthe at least one medical device.

In another embodiment, a wireless control arrangement is provided thatincludes at least one medical device having a communication module and aportable user interface. The portable user interface having a housing, acommunication module within the housing configured to wirelesslycommunicate with the at least one medical device, and a displaydisplaying a graphical user interface to control the at least onemedical device remotely, wherein the displayed graphical user interfacecorresponds to a control interface of the at least one medical device,and the at least one medial device and the portable user interfacecommunicate via the communication modules.

In yet another embodiment, a method for controlling a medical device isprovided. The method includes detecting one or more wirelesslycontrollable medical devices, receiving a user input at a portableelectronic device to remotely control the one or more medical devices,wherein the user input is selected at a graphical user interfacedisplayed on the portable electronic device. The graphical userinterface corresponds to a control interface of the one or more medicaldevices. The method also includes wirelessly controlling the one or moremedical devices from the portable electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The presently disclosed subject matter will be better understood fromreading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, withreference to the attached drawings, wherein below:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a wireless controlarrangement in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a user interface formed inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for wirelessly controlling medicaldevices in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a wireless control setting inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a graphical user interface displayed in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a graphical user interface displayed in accordance withanother embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a graphical user interface displayed in accordance withanother embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. To the extent that the figures illustratediagrams of the functional blocks of various embodiments, the functionalblocks are not necessarily indicative of the division between hardwarecircuitry. Thus, for example, one or more of the functional blocks(e.g., processors, controllers, circuits or memories) may be implementedin a single piece of hardware or multiple pieces of hardware. It shouldbe understood that the various embodiments are not limited to thearrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to beinterpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments thatalso incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitlystated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an elementor a plurality of elements having a particular property may includeadditional such elements not having that property.

As used herein the term “module” refers to software, hardware, forexample, a processor, or a combination thereof that is programmed withinstructions for carrying an algorithm or method. The modules describedherein may communicate wirelessly or through a wired connection.

Various embodiments provide wireless control of medical devices from auser interface, which may be a portable device, such as an electronictablet type device. However, the user interface may be any portable orhandheld device. For example, the tablet type device may be atouch-screen type of computing device. By practicing at least oneembodiment, a simpler control interface may be provided that alsoreduces or eliminates certain points of physical contact between thevisiting healthcare practitioner and resident devices. By practicing atleast one embodiment, Healthcare-Associated Illnesses (HAIs), insensitive medical care settings, for example, the Intensive Care Unit(ICU), Operating Room (OR) or Emergency Department (ED) may be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a wireless controlarrangement 100 in accordance various embodiments. The wireless controlarrangement 100 is illustrated in a medical setting, for example, in anICU setting. However, the various embodiments may be implemented indifferent types of healthcare settings or applications. Additionally,the wireless control arrangement 100 may be used in other non-healthcaresettings, such as in environments where physical touching of devices orcomponents should be minimized to the extent possible.

The wireless control arrangement 100 includes a user interface 102,which in one embodiment is a non-dedicated remote device, such as anelectronic tablet device or other portable or handheld electronicdevice. For example, the user interface 102 in one embodiment is atablet computer device or other mobile computer having a display 104,such as integrated into a flat touch-screen and operable by touching thescreen instead of using a physical keyboard. For example, the display104 may display an onscreen virtual keyboard and also allows use of apassive stylus pen or a digital pen.

It should be noted that the user interface 102 may be embodied indifferent sizes and shapes, such as based on the particular applicationand the information to be displayed on the display 104. Thus, the userinterface 102 encompasses different form factors and allows differentinformation to be displayed on different portions of the display 104that may include user selectable elements as described in more detailherein. In some embodiments, an integrated keyboard may be provided thatrotates for storage when not in use.

The user interface 102 also provide a graphical user interface (GUI) 106displayed on the display 104. In one embodiment, the user interface 102includes pre-loaded applications of different GUIs 106 for communicatingwith and/or controlling one or more medical devices 108. It should benoted that although three medical devices 108 are illustrated, the userinterface 102 may be configured to communicate with additional or fewermedical devices 108. The medical devices 108 may be any type of medicaldevice. In some embodiments, the medical devices 108 are patient care orpatient monitoring devices. For example, the medical devices 108 may bemonitors, such as blood rate monitors or blood pressure monitors, aventilator, or an electrocardiogram, among other devices. It should benoted that some of the medical devices 108 may be standalone devices orintegrated into a single system.

The user interface also includes a communication module 110 forcommunicating with the medical devices 108. For example, the medicaldevices 108 in one embodiment include communication modules 112 thatallow bi-directional communication between the user interface 102 andthe medical devices 108. The communication modules 110 and 112 mayinclude, for example, a transmitter and received arrangement forcommunicating therebetween. It should be noted that any suitablewireless communication technology may be used, such as a device todevice communication method (e.g., Bluetooth, Infrared control, radiofrequency control, etc.), such as to create a personal area network, ora broadcast type of communication method (e.g., WiFi, network, etc.). Invarious embodiments, the communication scheme or method allows securecommunication, such as within a room of a hospital.

The communication module 110 may be configured so as to not interferewith the medical devices 108. The communication module 110 may alsocommunicate using a digital protocol for transmitting information andcommands between the user interface 102 and the medical devices 108.

The communication module 110 allow additional functionality, which maybe provided in connection with a processor 114 (e.g., central processingunit) and a memory 117. For example, in one embodiment, thecommunication module 110 includes an application for detecting remotecontrollable devices (e.g., one or more medical devices 108) in thevicinity of the user interface 102 (e.g., in the ICU ward). The userinterface 102 also allows visualization of the medical devices 108, suchas by replicating or emulating a control interface of one or more of themedical devices 108 on the display 104 as part of the GUI 106.

Additional components may be provided as part of the user interface 102.For example, a local global positioning system (GPS) device 116 may beprovided as part of the user interface 102. The GPS device 116 allowsfor example, in a medical setting, for the identification of a roomlocation/number, with a log of the medical visit event(s) generated andstored. However, is should be noted that any suitable system or methodfor locating the user interface 102 may be used and GPS is merely oneexample. In various embodiments, the memory 117 may store protocol logs,as well as other information, such as time/data sequences downloaded oruploaded to/from the medical devices 108.

It also should be noted that the user interface 102 may be operated inthe same location as the medical devices 108, such as in the same roomor in a different location than the medical devices, such as outside theroom where the medical devices 108 are located, but within the same area(e.g., ICU ward).

In various embodiments, the user interface 102 allows remote control ofthe medical devices 108 without having to physically touch the medicaldevices 108. The user interface 102 also allows access to the storeddata within the medical devices 108, such as to view or uploadmonitoring data. The display 104 may display any type of data or images.Thus, the user interface 102 provides real-time control of the medicaldevices 108.

It should be noted that the user interface 102 may also communicate withother devices using the communication module 110. For example, the userinterface 102 may provide communication with peripheral devices, such asprinters or scanners. Additionally, the user interface 102 maycommunicate with a host system, such as a medical data system.

It also should be noted that the user interface 102 may be used forother operations. For example, patient information may be input, such asan observed state of the patient or information received from thepatient (e.g., answers to medical questions). Other types of informationalso may be entered or updated, such as background information, such aspatient address and insurance information, as well as, physicalinformation, such as patient height, weight, age, allergies, medicalhistory or the like. Information entered into the user interface 102 oraccessed and uploaded from the medical devices 108 may be electronicallytransmitted to a host system for long term storage.

Other information also may be tracked, such as the time per patientvisit, the conditions in the room (e.g., temperature, light level, etc.)or any other information that may be clinically relevant, such as formonitoring the patient and progression of any treatments.

FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic block diagram of the user interface102. FIG. 2 illustrates the user interface 102 as a portable hand-helddevice. The user interface 102 provides remote control of the medicaldevices 108 (shown in FIG. 1). For example, the user interface 102 isuntethered from the medical devices 108 and may be used remotelytherefrom, inside or outside of the room having the medical devices 108.For example, a nurse may directly control the medical devices 108 whileobserving the patient. Thus, the user interface 102 communicates withthe medical devices 108 to control functions and operations of themedical devices 108, which may include, for example, remotely changingsettings of the medical devices 108.

The user interface 102 includes the display 104 for displayinginformation, such as the GUI 106 (shown in FIG. 1). The display 104includes a resolution capable of displaying desired or required types ofinformation. In one embodiment, the display 104 is a touch sensitivedisplay that also displays information and allows for one or moreportions of the display 104 to be touch sensitive portions. For example,at least a portion of the display 104 is able to detect the location ofan operator's touch on the display 104. Various types of touchtechnologies are available for use in touch sensitive displays,including but not limited to touch sensitive elements such as capacitivesensors, membrane switches, and infrared detectors. It also should benoted that the touch sensitive display may be different types of touchsensitive displays. For example, the touch sensitive display may be asingle touch display or a multi-touch display. Thus, the display in someembodiments may provide single touch capabilities or multi-touchcapabilities (e.g., recognizing two or more points of contact, which mayallow scrolling, pinch to zoom, etc, with multiple touches).

The user interface 102 optionally includes one or more input devices118, such as buttons provided in a keypad that is separate from thedisplay 104. Alternatively, the display 102 may be a touch-screendisplay having the input devices incorporated therein (e.g. virtualbuttons). The user interface 102 may optionally include othercomponents, for example, an audio device, such as a speaker and amicrophone.

The user interface 102 may also display as part of the GUI 104 on thedisplay 104 icon-based element or menus for controlling the medicaldevices 108 as described in more detail below. The icons may have imagesto facilitate easier identification of associated functions, etc. Insome embodiments, the GUI 104 is displayed having an appearance thatemulates the appearance of the control interface of one or more of themedical devices 108. It should be noted that the GUI 104 may emulate thedisplay, virtual controls and/or physical controls of the medicaldevice.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method 120 for wirelessly controlling medicaldevices, such as using or implementing the wireless control arrangement100. It should be noted that although a particular control/work flow isillustrated, different controls and operations may be provided in thesame or different order. In particular, the method 120 in one embodimentincludes a clinician entering a medical setting (e.g. ICU ward) at 122with the user interface 102, for example, carrying a non-dedicatedremote control device (e.g. a tablet) to check a patient (e.g., observea patient that is being monitored). For example, FIG. 4 illustrates aclinician 140 (a portion of the clinician 140 is shown) entering an ICUward setting 142 to observe a patient 150, as well as to review orcontrol the medical devices 108, which may include remotely obtainingdata from or changing one or more settings of one or more of the medicaldevices 108 with the user interface 102. In this embodiment, the userinterface 102 includes a housing 141 having the dimensions of anelectronic tablet type device. In the illustrated embodiment, and merelyas an example, the medical devices 108 include a heart rate monitor 144,a blood pressure monitor 146 and a ventilator 146 that are coupled tothe patient 150 using any suitable technique. As can be seen, theclinician 140 may communicate with and control the medical devices 108using the user interface 102, such as with the clinician's hand 152,which may include a stylus or other suitable input device.

Referring again to FIG. 3, thereafter, controllable medical devices aredetected at 124. For example, the user interface 102 may broadcast aquery message to the medical devices, such as to the heart rate monitor144, blood pressure monitor 146 and ventilator 146 (shown in FIG. 4) todetermine if any of the devices are remotely controllable with the userinterface 102. If one or more of the devices are controllable, asuitable communication handshake technique may be used to establishcommunication therebetween. In some embodiments, a proximity equipmentdetection controller may be used to detect available medical devicesthat may be remotely controlled and acquire information for display onthe display 104, for example, as shown in FIG. 5. It should be notedthat although the display 104 is shown in a landscape orientation, theuser interface 102 may also display information in a portraitorientation with the displayed data appropriately reformatted orreoriented.

In particular, one or more user selectable elements 170 are displayedindicating medical devices that may be remotely controlled. In thisexample, the selectable elements are icons having text (labels)identifying the medical devices, which may be a generic name or aparticular device name. In this embodiment, the user selectable elements170 correspond to all three of the heart rate monitor 144, bloodpressure monitor 146 and ventilator 146, indicating that all of thesemedical devices are remotely controllable. The display 104 may alsoprovide location information 172 for the devices, such as the particularward in which the medical devices are located. Thus, the user interface102 displays on the display 104 the number/type of medical devices inthe setting that can be controlled and, for example, the local GPScapability identifies the room number of the medical setting.

Referring again to FIG. 3, thereafter a user input is received at 126 toremotely control one or more of the identified medical devices. Forexample, the user may select one of the medical devices with which toestablish communication by selecting one of the user selectable elements170, such as with the user's hand 152 (e.g., a finger of the user) or aninput device 154 (e.g., a stylus), which are both shown in FIG. 4. Forexample, the clinician may activate or initiate remote control of amedical device wherein adjustment needs to be made on the remote controldevice. FIG. 6 illustrates the clinician 140 activating the userselectable elements 170 corresponding to the ventilator 146. Theactivation may be indicated, for example, by changing a shading or colorof the selected user selectable element 170.

Referring again to FIG. 3, a GUI corresponding to the selected medicaldevice is displayed at 128. In particular, a GUI corresponding to acontrol interface for the selected medical device is displayed such asshown n FIG. 7, which may be an emulation of the actual GUI on themedical device. For example, the displayed GUI on the user interface 102may be the same as the displayed GUI on the medical device (or ofphysical controls of the medical device). In this example, a ventilatorGUI 180 is displayed that allows control of the ventilator 146. Thecontrols may provide all or a subset of the control functions availableat the medical imaging device, in this case, the ventilator 146. Thus,in this example, the clinician 140 may control the ventilator 146 (e.g.,change pressure settings) using the identical control functions andinputs as if physical inputs were provided at the ventilator 146.Accordingly, no physical touching of the medical devices is used invarious embodiments.

It should be noted that the user selectable elements and displayed datais merely for illustration and different user selectable elements 182and data 184 may be displayed. Some of the user selectable elements 182may activate other GUIs or screens for controlling the ventilator 146.Thus, the clinician 140 may observe current and past readings from themedical device and change settings via the use interface 102, which aretransmitted to the medical device. Also, the GUI may be, for example, asoftware implemented application running on any type of portablecomputing device.

Accordingly, referring again to FIG. 3, a user input may be received at130 to control the medical device, such as to change a setting of themedical device. Thereafter, at 130, feedback may be received at 132 fromthe controlled medical device. For example, the medical device mayprovide active feedback to the user interface 102 as a result of thechange and may show, for example, a potential effect on other controlparameters or changes in monitored conditions.

It should be noted that the control of the selected device may berepeated for different settings or to change the same setting to adifferent value or level such that steps 130 and 132 are repeated.Additionally, a user may select to control another medical device at126, wherein steps 128-132 are repeated for that medical device, such asdisplaying the GUI of that device. Accordingly, settings may be adjustedon one or more medical devices in the care setting without physicallytouching the devices.

The method 120 may also include at 134, upon completion of the visit,generating log of the session. For example, the user interface 102 maygenerate a log with time stamp and location information (e.g. ICU, wardnumber, etc.) of the visit and the type of changes/data affected.

Thus, various embodiments provide a wireless system and method forcontrolling medical devices. The control of the medical devices allowsinterfacing with the devices without physically touching the devices. Atleast one technical effect of various embodiments includes minimizing oreliminating touching of medical devices.

The various embodiments and/or components, for example, the modules, orcomponents and controllers therein, also may be implemented as part ofone or more computers or processors. The computer or processor mayinclude a computing device, an input device, a display unit and aninterface, for example, for accessing the Internet. The computer orprocessor may include a microprocessor. The microprocessor may beconnected to a communication bus. The computer or processor may alsoinclude a memory. The memory may include Random Access Memory (RAM) andRead Only Memory (ROM). The computer or processor further may include astorage device, which may be a hard disk drive or a removable storagedrive such as an optical disk drive, solid state disk drive (e.g., flashRAM), and the like. The storage device may also be other similar meansfor loading computer programs or other instructions into the computer orprocessor.

As used herein, the term “computer” or “module” may include anyprocessor-based or microprocessor-based system including systems usingmicrocontrollers, reduced instruction set computers (RISC), applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), graphical processing units (GPUs), logic circuits, and anyother circuit or processor capable of executing the functions describedherein. The above examples are exemplary only, and are thus not intendedto limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term“computer”.

The computer or processor executes a set of instructions that are storedin one or more storage elements, in order to process input data. Thestorage elements may also store data or other information as desired orneeded. The storage element may be in the form of an information sourceor a physical memory element within a processing machine.

The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct thecomputer or processor as a processing machine to perform specificoperations such as the methods and processes of the various embodimentsof the invention. The set of instructions may be in the form of asoftware program, which may form part of a tangible non-transitorycomputer readable medium or media. The software may be in various formssuch as system software or application software. Further, the softwaremay be in the form of a collection of separate programs or modules, aprogram module within a larger program or a portion of a program module.The software also may include modular programming in the form ofobject-oriented programming. The processing of input data by theprocessing machine may be in response to operator commands, or inresponse to results of previous processing, or in response to a requestmade by another processing machine.

As used herein, the terms “software” and “firmware” are interchangeable,and include any computer program stored in memory for execution by acomputer, including RAM memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,and non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory. The above memory types areexemplary only, and are thus not limiting as to the types of memoryusable for storage of a computer program.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the variousembodiments of the invention without departing from their scope. Whilethe dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended todefine the parameters of the various embodiments of the invention, theembodiments are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Manyother embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art uponreviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments ofthe invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, theterms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels,and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written inmeans-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claimlimitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statementof function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the variousembodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also toenable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodimentsof the invention, including making and using any devices or systems andperforming any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the variousembodiments of the invention is defined by the claims, and may includeother examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such otherexamples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if theexamples have structural elements that do not differ from the literallanguage of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structuralelements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages ofthe claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable user interface for controlling medical devices, the portable user interface comprising: a housing; a communication module within the housing configured to detect and wirelessly communicate with at least one medical device; and a display displaying a plurality of user selectable elements, wherein the communication module is configured to establish bi-directional communication with the at least one medical device based on a selection of at least one of the user selectable elements, and the display displaying a graphical user interface to control the at least one medical device remotely, wherein the displayed graphical user interface corresponds to a control interface of the at least one medical device.
 2. The portable user interface of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface emulates a control interface of the at least one medical device.
 3. The portable user interface of claim 1, wherein the communication module detects the at least one medical device based on a proximity of the at least one medical device from the housing.
 4. The portable user interface of claim 1, wherein the user selectable elements corresponds to controls for changing settings and operation of the at least one medical device.
 5. The portable user interface of claim 1, wherein a number of user selectable elements is based on a number of medical devices detected by the communication module.
 6. The portable user interface of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a touch-screen display.
 7. The portable user interface of claim 1, further comprising one or more user inputs separate from the display.
 8. The portable user interface of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an electronic tablet type housing.
 9. The portable user interface of claim 1, wherein the display displays updated data for the at least one medical device.
 10. The portable user interface of claim 1, wherein the displayed graphical user interface displays monitoring data for the at least one medical device.
 11. The portable user interface of claim 1, wherein the display displays location information.
 12. The portable user interface of claim 1, further comprising a processor for generating a log session corresponding to changes made to settings of the at least one medical device with the graphical user interface.
 13. A wireless control arrangement comprising: at least one medical device having a communication module; and a portable user interface having a housing, a communication module within the housing configured to detect and wirelessly communicate with the at least one medical device, and a display displaying a user selectable element corresponding to the at least one medical device when detected by the communication module, wherein the communication module is configured to establish bi-directional communication with the at least one medical device based on a selection of the user selectable element, and the display displaying a graphical user interface to control the at least one medical device remotely, wherein the displayed graphical user interface corresponds to a control interface of the at least one medical device, and the at least one medical device and the portable user interface communicate via the communication modules.
 14. The wireless control arrangement of claim 13, wherein the graphical user interface emulates a control interface of the at least one medical device and wherein the display displays a plurality of user selectable elements for controlling operation of the at least one medical device.
 15. The wireless control arrangement of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of medical devices and wherein the display displays a number of user selectable elements corresponding to a number of the plurality of wirelessly controllable medical devices detected by the communication module, and wherein the graphical user interface corresponding to a control interface of a selected one of the medical devices is different than the graphical user interface of another one of the plurality of medical devices.
 16. The wireless control arrangement of claim 13, wherein the display comprises a touch-screen display.
 17. The wireless control arrangement of claim 13, wherein the at least one medical device comprises a medical monitoring device.
 18. A method for controlling a medical device, the method comprising: detecting one or more wirelessly controllable medical devices; receiving a user input at a portable electronic device to establish communication between the portable electronic device and at least one detected medical device and remotely control the at least one detected medical device, the user input selected at a graphical user interface displayed on the portable electronic device, the graphical user interface corresponding to a control interface of the one or more medical devices; and wirelessly controlling the at least one detected medical device from the portable electronic device.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising emulating the control interface as the graphical user interface.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving feedback from the at least one detected medical device and displaying the feedback on a display of the portable electronic device.
 21. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving a user input selecting another one of the detected medical devices and displaying a different graphical user interface on the portable electronic device.
 22. The method of claim 18, further comprising generating a log session based on the control of the at least one medical device. 